Beer of the Week: Doggie Style

Beer score: 7.1

Company: Flying Dog Brewery
ABV: 5.5
IBU: 35

This pale ale pours a light copper color while giving off a rather large foamy head.

There's a little citrus in the scent, maybe some lemon or orange, and a touch of sweetness.

Smooth and wet, the way a pale ale should be, but this one is a little too bitter for a typical pale ale. There's some more of that citrus in the flavor, but not as much as in the smell.

This one is worth drinking.

Beer of the Week: Shock Top Belgian White

Beer score: 4.7

Company: Shock Top Brewing Co.
ABV: 5.2
IBU: 10

In my search for a good warm-weather beer, I thought about trying a Shock Top, which I've not had in more than a decade. At first I feared this beer was no longer in production, but then I had a pleasant surprise and found out Anheuser-Busch had sold this Belgian white ale off. So, some beers have an extended life beyond their original brewer.

Anyway, this one poured a light golden color with some haziness and maybe the barest hint of orange. Funny enough, it has a bit of that orange in the smell and more in the taste. However, there also is a light wheat smell, but most of that is overpowered by the citrus in the flavor.

It's not the best Belgian white around, but it's pretty decent and worth drinking with lighter foods, like fish or baked chicken. I wouldn't turn up my nose if handed one.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Wild Goose India Pale Ale

Beer score: 5.4

Man, I've had no luck of late when looking for some beers I hadn't tried in a while. This is another one no longer on the market, and even the brewer is out of business. At least I've got memories and some old notes.

This one poured a light brown color with a little malty smell and maybe a touch of corn.

The taste was pretty bitter with just a hint of the fruity sourness common to most IPAs and the barest touch of sweetness. A little fizzy, even in the aftertaste.

People who like bitter beers that go down a little rough would have enjoyed this one.

Books read in 2026: No. 6 -- The Mystery of Smuggler's Cove

by Retro Myrtle Beach Guy

Started: May 23

Finished: May 24

Notes: The author of this one is a YouTube content creator who focuses most of his material on the Myrtle Beach area. His content tends to be fun and family oriented, and he's created a couple of indie films as well as a number of other projects, including a handful of books, such as this one. As I'm entertained by him and enjoy his work, I thought I'd give one of his books a shot for more fun.

Mini review: Just a fun, silly little adventure of two pals, Retro and Tiki, as they attempt to thwart a villain in the Myrtle Beach area. Fans of Myrtle Beach should enjoy this one as there are a number of local landmarks and establishments mentioned, and the focus is on building community and helping local, smaller businesses. The Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce should stock copies of this book in their offices, especially as they turn out to be one of the heroes of the tale!

Books read in 2026: No. 5 -- Long Time No See

by Ed McBain

Started: May 18

Finished: May 23

Notes: My readings so far this year have been on the heavier side, so I decided it was time for something lighter. Yes, for me, murder is lighter. At least when it's written by Ed McBain.

Mini review: Someone is murdering blind people. Why? That's what Detective Steve Carella and the rest of the 87th gang have to determine. Not the best of this series, perhaps even one of the more predictable of these books, or maybe I've just read so many of them I've become overly familiar with the author's style. That being said, it's still an 87th Precinct book, which means it's like pizza ... even when it's not great, it's still pretty darn good.

Books read in 2026: No. 4 -- The Marquis de Sade: A Life

by Neil Schaeffer

Started: April 22

Finished: May 17

Notes: For some while I've been intrigued by the mad figure of the Marquis de Sade, so when I came across this biography, I had to snatch it up.

Mini review: Much as I thought, this book seems to say that Sade was a more complex and misunderstood figure not only today but in his own time as well. That's not to say he was a nice guy, but it does mean his reputation was worse than the reality, at least according to historical records of which there were many. And I've said for some while now that while one might not approve of Sade's material, the man could write. Was he insane? Likely not, though I think it's beyond doubt that he had some emotional and possibly mental issues. Was he a murderer? Rapist? Pedophile? That's not how it looks in the historical records we have. Still, not someone I'd want to hang out with, but he could write.

Beer of the Week Blast from the Past: Rolling Rock Light

Beer score: 5.4

Still searching for a lighter beer for warm weather, one I've not had before or at least not in a long time, so I thought I turn to the Rolling Rock brews. And was I surprised this one was no longer in production.

As a side note, I've also seen this beer sold as Rock Green Light or Rock Light, but those aren't around either.

Whatever the name might be, this one wasn't bad for a light beer.

As can be expected, this one poured an almost-clear yellow color with scents of corn, typical for most premium or mass-produced beers.

Smooth. There was a little of the corn sweetness in the taste, and it was slightly watery.